City waives fees for storm debris at recycling center

The city will allow residents to bring tree limbs and yard waste created by Monday's severe storms to the Carthage Recycling Center on West Macon Street without charge through Saturday.

Staff Reports

The city will allow residents to bring tree limbs and yard waste created by Monday's severe storms to the Carthage Recycling Center on West Macon Street without charge through Saturday.Also, city street crews will will make a sweep through the storm damaged parts of the city, picking up debris piled up on the side of the streets.

“The City cannot go on private property to remove debris,” said Public Works Director Zeb Carney in a written statement. “Residents therefore must stack all vegetative storm debris at the street, behind the curb line. It is estimated that the debris removal work will take no longer than two weeks. City crews will begin picking up debris starting Wednesday, May 22, in the southern part of the city working from east to west and proceeding to the north picking up the debris.”

Normally, the city charges $10 for a trailer and $5 for a truck to dispose of brush and yard waste. That fee will be waived.

Carney said city crews will make only one pass through the damage area so he encouraged residents to pile their debris on the side of the road as soon as possible.

“Once the City completes its work, the resident is responsible for debris cleanup and removal,” Carney said in his release. “If debris is not cleaned up or removed, the resident will be subject to all City Code requirements concerning property maintenance and nuisance abatement.”

Carney said the city is not waiving the fee for contractors to dump yard waste at the center.

“Residents who require the assistance of a tree trimming service to clear their property need to know that the tree services provider is responsible for the removal of the debris they work with,” Carney said. “The city is not waiving the fee for contractors at the Recycling Center. Residents should also make sure that any contractor working on their property has insurance and a proper city license.”

Anyone with questions can call the city's public works office at 237-7010.